Comparisons of echocardiographic findings of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units before and after the omicron variant propagation.

Purpose: Few investigational reports have evaluated the status of cardiovascular manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the Omicron dominance period. In this study, we aimed to investigate the cardiac function parameters and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 before and after the Omicron variant (OV) propagation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 88 adult patients with COVID-19 who underwent clinically indicated standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in intensive care wards.

Faecal metaproteomics analysis reveals a high cardiovascular risk profile across healthy individuals and heart failure patients.

The gut microbiota is a crucial link between diet and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Using fecal metaproteomics, a method that concurrently captures human gut and microbiome proteins, we determined the crosstalk between gut microbiome, diet, gut health, and CVD. Traditional CVD risk factors (age, BMI, sex, blood pressure) explained < 10% of the proteome variance.

Genetic predisposition to nephropathy and associated cardiovascular disease in people with type 1 diabetes: role of the angiotensinI-converting enzyme (ACE), and beyond; a narrative review.

Hypertension, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure are associated with persistent hyperglycaemia and the subsequent development of nephropathy in people with diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy is associated with widespread vascular disease affecting both the kidney and the heart from an early stage. However, the risk of diabetic nephropathy in people with type 1 diabetes is strongly genetically determined, as documented in familial transmission studies.

SYNTAX I score is associated with genetically confirmed familial hypercholesterolemia in chinese patients with coronary heart disease.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetically inherited disorder caused by monogenic mutations or polygenic deleterious variants. Patients with FH innate with significantly elevated risks for coronary heart disease (CHD). FH prevalence based on genetic testing in Chinese CHD patients is missing.

The profound impact of COVID-19 on the control and care of diabetic patients: a comprehensive retrospective cohort study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift in healthcare services, focusing on pandemic response and emergency preparedness. The Oman Ministry of Health implemented various measures to combat and control COVID-19. However, this shift disrupted routine outpatient appointments, particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN).

Casual detection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm thanks to a trainee-made ultrasound with two subsequent "domino" diagnoses: case report and insights on the role of ultrasound courses.

Early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is crucial as untreated lesions can be life-threatening. We describe the case of a fortuitous ultrasound (US) detection of AAA by a trainee which allowed two subsequent "domino" diagnoses. A 69 y.

Preoperative activation of the renin-angiotensin system and myocardial injury in noncardiac surgery: exploratory mechanistic analysis of the SPACE randomised controlled trial.

Background: Hypertension therapy in older adults is often suboptimal, in part because of inadequate suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). We hypothesised that distinct endotypes of RAAS activation before noncardiac surgery are associated with increased risk of myocardial injury.

Methods: This was a prespecified exploratory analysis of a multicentre randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN17251494) which randomised patients ≥60 yr old undergoing elective noncardiac surgery to either continue or stop RAAS inhibitors (determined by pharmacokinetic profiles).

Chronobiological Patterns and Risk of Acute Aortic Dissection: A Clinical Retrospective and Two-Sample Mendelian Randomisation Study.

Aim: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) represents a cardiovascular ailment characterised by a notable mortality rate. Chronobiological patterns can offer a predictive framework for anticipating the onset of AAD.

Method: Data were gathered from 1,151 patients diagnosed with AAD at Changhai Hospital in Shanghai, China, spanning 2000-2023.

Evaluation and management of neurological complications in acute liver failure.

Neurological complications in acute liver failure are the most common cause of mortality in this group of patients. Almost all neurologic complications arise from underlying increase in intracranial pressure in ALF. In addition to symptomatic management, the treatment relies on measures to bring down ICP.

COVID-19 Diagnosis within 6 Weeks of Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Leads to Higher Risk for Post-operative Venous Thromboembolism.

Purpose: To determine if pre-operative infection with COVID-19 increased risk for post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery..

Methods: PearlDiver Mariner 165 database was queried for patients undergoing knee arthroscopy between 2010 through October, 2022.

International prevalence patterns of low eGFR in adults aged 18-60 without traditional risk factors from a population-based cross-sectional disadvantaged populations eGFR epidemiology (DEGREE) study.

The disadvantaged populations eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) epidemiology (DEGREE) study was designed to gain insight into the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of undetermined cause (CKDu) using standard protocols to estimate the general-population prevalence of low eGFR internationally. Therefore, we estimated the age-standardized prevalence of eGFR under 60 ml/min per 1.73m in adults aged 18-60, excluding participants with commonly known causes of CKD; an ACR (albumin/creatinine ratio) over 300 mg/g or equivalent, or self-reported or measured (HT) hypertension or (DM) diabetes mellitus, stratified by sex and location.

The effects of plasma exchange and glucocorticoids on early kidney function among patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in the PEXIVAS trial.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (PLEX) is an adjunctive treatment for patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis and kidney involvement. Little is known about the effect of PLEX on early changes in kidney function. This post-hoc analysis of the PEXIVAS trial investigated the effects of PLEX on changes in kidney function within 12 months.

A nationwide questionnaire study evaluated kidney injury associated with Beni-koji tablets in Japan.

Red yeast rice, traditionally used in Asian cuisine and increasingly marketed as a dietary supplement for cholesterol management, has recently been linked to kidney dysfunction in Japan. In late 2023 to early 2024, multiple cases involving specific Beni-koji (red yeast rice) tablets from three different Beni-koji preparations, prompted a safety reevaluation. Although citrinin, a known nephrotoxin of red yeast rice, was not produced by the implicated strains, new safety concerns emerged.

Cardiorenal outcomes associated with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD V): A propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: There remains a paucity of data regarding the cardio-renal benefits of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD V) based on major clinical trials.

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to identify potential cardiovascular and renal outcomes associated with SGLT2i use in CKD V patients.

Methods: We queried the TriNetX Global collaborative network from Jan 2014 - Aug 2023 for patients ≥18 years diagnosed with CKD V but not on dialysis.

Maternal Characteristics and Pregnancy Outcomes Associated with Delivery versus Expectant Management following Decreased Fetal Movement at Term.

Objective:  This study aimed to compare maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes between term patients evaluated for decreased fetal movement (DFM) who were delivered versus expectantly managed.

Study Design:  Retrospective cohort study of term patients delivering within a large hospital system from 2015 to 2023 who were evaluated for DFM. Patients were classified into three groups based on the time between evaluation for DFM and delivery admission: (1) <24 hours, (2) 24-48 hours, (3) >48 hours.

Unveiling relationships of human instinctive behaviors and blood pressure in Chinese adults: A network analysis.

Objectives: Human behaviors and blood pressure (BP) are closely intertwined, affecting health. However, few studies have demonstrated their complex relationships. Using network analysis, we aimed to untangle the intricate and potential causal relationships between BP and human instinctive behaviors, identifying potential action points for hypertension prevention and control.

Associations between plasma caspase-1 levels and cardiovascular disease, with the mediating role of metabolic syndrome.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the association between plasma caspase-1 levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as the potential mediating role of metabolic syndrome (Mets) in the association.

Methods: This study analyzed the UK Biobank Precision Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP), which detected plasma caspase-1 levels in participants. CVD was defined by ICD-9/ICD-10 codes.

Renin-independent aldosteronism and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis: A genetic association study.

Background & Aims: Renin-independent aldosteronism (RIA) refers to a spectrum of autonomous aldosterone hypersecretion. We aimed to explore the genetical relationship between RIA and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and cirrhosis.

Methods: We included 125357 participants from the cohort of United Kingdom Biobank.

NAD deficiency plays essential roles in the hyperuricemia of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat via xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase conversion.

Inhibition of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) was shown to ameliorate the stroke susceptibility in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP), suggesting hyperuricemia had a pathological role in this rat model. In this study, we thus aimed to explore mechanisms inducing hyperuricemia in SHRSP. XOR is known to have two forms, xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) as the prototype and xanthine oxidase (XO) as the converted form through cleavage of a peptide bond or through formation of disulfide bonds in the enzyme.

Systolic blood pressure modifies the effect of endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: a mediation analysis.

Background: Systolic blood pressure (BP) is a key factor in the outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) receiving endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). However, the factors that mediate the association between BP and clinical outcome are unclear.

Methods: Consecutive patients with AIS in the anterior circulation underwent continuous blood pressure monitoring for 24 hours.

Metabolomic Changes Associated With the Change in HVPG After DAAs Therapy in HCV Cirrhotic Patients.

Background And Aims: In response to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy, patients who experience a decrease in hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) considerably reduce liver complications and have increased survival. This study aimed to assess the metabolomic changes associated with the changes in HVPG from the start of DAA therapy until 48 weeks after effective DAA therapy in patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis.

Methods: We carried out a multicenter longitudinal study in 31 patients with advanced hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.

Based on Propensity Matching Scores: Comparison of the Mid-term Outcomes of Two Bariatric Surgeries for the Treatment of Obesity and its Complications.

Background: To compare the mid-term efficacy and postoperative complications of two common bariatric procedures-single anastomotic duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG)-in treating obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Methods: Data from 186 patients undergoing SADI-S or SG between September 2013 and October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied in a 1:1 ratio, resulting in 78 patients included in the final analysis (39 per group).

Impact of hyperkalaemia on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) inhibitor reduction or withdrawal following hospitalisation.

Background: Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), such as ACE inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin-II receptor blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, reduce morbidity and mortality in hypertension, congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease. However, their use can lead to hyperkalaemia. We examined the proportions of RAAS inhibitor (RAASi) reduction or withdrawal, across GFR strata, following hospitalisation and the effect on patient mortality.

Assessing the causality between pulmonary arterial hypertension and cancer: insights from Mendelian randomization.

Background: Previous clinical studies have suggested an increased risk of tumor development in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, it remains unclear whether there is a causal relationship between PAH and tumor occurrence. This study investigates the causal link between PAH and cancer from a genetic perspective using Mendelian randomization (MR).